UPDATED: MPD sergeant terminated for misusing police databases

A 15-year veteran of the Mobile Police Department was terminated effective immediately after a Trial Board found him guilty of five major violations, Mobile Police Chief James Barber announced today.

MPD

Michael Smith

Sgt. Michael Smith, who was most currently assigned as supervisor in Precinct Four, was charged with conduct unbecoming, misuse of position, failure to obey a direct order, biased based profiling and disobedience of orders, according to MPD spokeswoman Ashley Rains.

Rains said all of these charges are major violations.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the Trial Board convened for the purpose of hearing evidence of those major violations and made a unanimous decision to find Sgt. Smith guilty.

The board recommended Smith be dismissed from service with MPD and Chief Barber and Mayor Sandy Stimpson concurred with the findings of the board, according to Rains.

“Sergeant Michael Smith was charged with a leadership position in this Department, in which he betrayed the public’s trust and confidence,” Barber said in a news release. “He has violated and tarnished the badge of his office.”

When initially asked for more information related to the charges and Smith’s actions, Rains said, per Chief Barber, that Smith has a right to appeal at which time details would be discussed.

On Sept. 15, Rains announced that Smith was dismissed for allegedly using local and state databases for non-law enforcement use “to obtain the personal information of black females.”

According to Rains, Smith still has the right to appeal within 10 days.

Smith served MPD for over 15 years, Rains said.

Updated on Sept. 15 at 5:39 p.m. to include updated information from Rains regarding details on why Smith was dismissed from MPD.